The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-09
A Smiling Face.

When Miriam Lester was sixteen
years of age, he father, who had been
man of beautiful Christian charac-
ter, died, and she and her invalid mo-
ther were left penniless. Mrs. Lester
would have grown respondent but for
the cheerful determination of her
young daughter.
After several weeks of diligent
search, the girl found a place where
she could earn enough for the support
of her dear mother and herself. Her
new field of labor being some distance
from home, kind friend had given
her package of street-car tickets, so
that she would not be fatigued by TAX
ing so long a walk twice day.
Now Miriam had two years before
united with the church and publicly
announced her intention Of living for
Christ. Having no younger brother
or sister over whom to exert an influ-
ence, and being too poor to lend any
pecuniary assistance to the cause OF
her choice, she felt that she was doing
very little good. Let US see if she was
right.
Near the Lester cottage was q hand.
some mansion belonging to 8 wealthy
banker, James Hartford by name, and
it happened that the banker and little
Miriam were fellow-passengers on the
car every evening. Miriam had no.
ticed him at first on account of his
unpleasant and selfish manner. He
was always too much absorbed either
in the evening paper or some money
making scheme to notice that he was
crowding any one, or that some poor
tired woman was standing while he
spread himself over an unnecessary
amount Of space. Finally she ceased
to regard him as anything but q hard.
hearted, selfish, worldly man; and, as
such, she dismissed him from her
mind.
On the other hand, he began to no
tice the bright-faced little girl who al
ways had a smile for every one, and
who always had an apple or cake for
any hungry child who chanced to be
near her. She was never "too tiredn
to stand in order that's poor woman or
an old man might be seated; she was
never "too tired" to smile and bow
her thanks for any little civility ex-
tended her by her fellow-passengers;
aud, on reaching home, she was never
"too tired" to smile and throw a kiss
at the pale-faced woman at the win
dow. On the whole she was the hap
piest looking person he had ever seen.
And what was the cause of her happi-
ness? She YVES poor and had to work
for her daily bread, while his daugh-
ter lolled on divan, read novels, and
ate candy; she dressed very plainly,
while Miss Hartford revelled in silk
and diamonds; she had an humble
cottage for home, while his daughter
dwelt in mansion. And yet Miri-
ANS face was always bright and hap
py. and his daughters wore selfish
dissatisfied expression. It was a truth
beyond his ken!
One cold evening when the ground
was covered with sleet, Miriam started
to leave the car, when her foot slipped
and she fell to the ground. To the
amazement of all the other passengers,
James Hartford hastened to her side,
and raising her in his strong arms,
bore her safely to her door. Her mo-
ther came out to add her thanks to
those of her daughter.
Madam" he said in reply, II have
long desired an opportunity of asking
your little girl the cause of her smil-
ing face and apparent happiness"
"Why, aren't you happy, sir?" the
child asked in wonder.
mo, my dear, I have so many busi-
ness cares, that I really haven't time
to be happy!"
Miriam looked up at him with hap
py fearful eyes, and said:
"You live for yourself, and I live for
Jesus, that is the differencem
With bow he left them, but he
never forgot the words of the little
child, and some time afterward. he
told her that he had found time to
serve her Master and be happy.
So, dear readers, if you can do moth
ing else, you can smile for Christ!